Training Camp Concerns Around the League
Things are picking up as fans count down the days to the start of the 2010 NFL season. Many players have found teams already and others are still searching for contracts as the September 9 start date draws near.
Heading into training camps, there is always concern regarding injuries, fitness and chemistry amongst the new look teams. Teams with a completely different look this season include the Washington Redskins, the Seattle Seahawks, the Detroit Lions, the Denver Broncos, the New York Jets, just to name a few.
Banged and bruised
On the injury front, the Buffalo Bills have already altered their plans, compensating for the injury bug surrounding the team. Some pre-training camp injuries have already ruled players out for the 2010 season including Philadelphia Eagles free safety Marlin Jackson (torn achilles tendon) Giants wide receiver Domenick Hixon (ACL); Carolina Panthers WR Steve Smith (broken arm from playing a flag football game – out for training camp w/ start of regular season questionable); Pittsburgh Steelers WR Limas Sweed (torn achilles); Washington Redskins offensive tackle Mike Williams (blood clots) and New York Giants rookie safety Chad Jones (leg injuries after car accident).
There are also players who will only miss training camp and some of the season, including Carolina Panther WR Steve Smith with a broken arm and Broncos LT Ryan Clady with a torn patellar tendon.
Around the league there are also players who are coming off of 2009 injuries and offseason surgery reporting to training camp. Among the list there’s the Jets sophomore QB Mark Sanchez coming off of knee surgery.
Brandon Marshall, the Dolphins major offseason addition, is coming off hip surgery but should be ready for training camp. His prompt return is crucial, as he’ll need all the time he can get to build chemistry with Chad Henne.
The Patriots will have concerns about Wes Welker who tore his ACL in the season finale. Welker hopes to be ready for the Patriots first regular season game.
The Baltimore Ravens hope that ball hawk Ed Reed can return for the start of the season. Reed wasn’t even sure whether he’d come back for another season but he intends to, although he may miss some part of it.
The St. Louis Rams will need Steven Jackson like humans need oxygen as Jackson is coming off back surgery and is probable for training camp.
Finally there’s Brett Favre. If he decided to ahem return, he can be ready for training camp, although he will probably join the team late into camp.
Besides the injury front, teams have to build chemistry amongst themselves. The Jets added Santonio Holmes, Antonio Cromartie, Ladanian Tomlinson and Jason Taylor. The group will have to take the time to get to know the team and Holmes will want to gt to know Mark Sanchez well, as Holmes will already be serving a suspension to start the season.
There are also possible holdouts looming. Chargers WR Vincent Jackson has not signed his tender and may hold out not only training camp, but also the first 10 games of the season.
Chris Johnson and the Titans are getting closer to a new deal and the 2000-yard rusher should report to training camp.
The best cornerback in the game, Darrelle Revis is unhappy with his contract as well and has considered sitting out training camp, though it’s unlikely due to financial penalties if he does so.
Training camp will be very interesting indeed, as newcomers will try to get used to their new homes and build chemistry with their teammates. Many are even on teams who were once their divisional rivals, including Jason Taylor and Donovan McNabb.
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